Quarterback
MVP: Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers)
Ben Roethlisberger astounded the football world with his 6 TD performance in Week 8 against the Colts. So what did Big Ben have planned for an encore this week? Another 6 TD performance of course! Roethlisberger was money from the second quarter on, spreading the wealth to pretty much of all his receivers and decimating the injury-plagued Ravens secondary on just about every drive. Roethlisberger honestly hasn't looked this good in years. He is throwing the ball with uncharacteristically high accuracy and getting excellent protection from a resurgent offensive line right now. The Steelers have another friendly matchup on this schedule this week when they go up against the trainwreck otherwise known as the New York Jets, so Big Ben's reign of terror on opposing defenses is highly likely to continue.
Honorable Mentions: Tom Brady (Patriots), Ryan Tannehill (Dolphins), Andrew Luck (Colts)
LVP: Phillip Rivers (Chargers)
What the hell happened to Phillip Rivers this week? Rivers- who has been excellent for all of 2014- was repeatedly turning the ball over (3 INT's and a fumble on the afternoon) and missing his targets all afternoon in the Chargers embarrassing 37-0 loss to the Dolphins. Rivers heads into the bye with 2 poor performances in his last 3 games and has a bitch of a schedule including matchups against the Ravens, Patriots, 49ers and Broncos down the stretch. Rivers is stable enough, but he's far from the best QB1 option for a team looking to make a deep playoff run.
Dishonorable Mentions: Colin Kaepernick (49ers), Cam Newton (Panthers), Russell Wilson (Seahawks)
Running Back
MVP: Jeremy Hill (Bengals)
Rookie running back Jeremy Hill stepped up big time in his first career start versus the Jaguars in place of the injured Giovani Bernard. It didn't start off particularly noteworthy, but Hill's huge second half led to him finishing with 154 yards and 2 TD's on the afternoon. Hill is expected to start again on Thursday against the Browns terrible run defense, so we could very well be looking at another dominant performance from the promising rookie.
Honorable Mentions: Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks), Matt Asiata (Vikings), Mark Ingram (Saints)
LVP: Ben Tate (Browns)
Ben Tate's 2014 campaign has been a roller coaster ride and his performance in Week 9 was a new low. Tate picked up a mere 3 yards on the ground on 10 carries against a Buccaneers run D that has struggled all year long. Tate was able to add 29 yards on 4 receptions to slightly salvage his afternoon, but it was not nearly enough to make up for his terrible day on the ground. With Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell frequently cutting into his carries, his long injury history and general inconsistency, Tate will be a high-risk RB2 for the rest of the year.
Dishonorable Mentions: Branden Oliver (Chargers), Jerrick McKinnon (Vikings), Ahmad Bradshaw (Colts)
Wide Receiver
MVP: Jeremy Maclin (Eagles)
Jeremy Maclin was able to follow up a dominant performance in Week 8 with another explosive performance in Week 9. Maclin put up 158 yards and 2 TD's on 6 receptions in the Eagles hard-fought victory over the Texans on Sunday. Even with Mark Sanchez taking over for the injured Nick Foles at quarterback, Maclin remains a weekly top-end WR1.
Honorable Mentions: Mike Evans (Buccaneers), Antonio Brown (Steelers), DeSean Jackson (Redskins)
LVP: Andre Johnson (Texans)
Longtime superstar wideout Andre Johnson just hasn't gotten going this year. Johnson's struggles in 2014 are best evidenced by his lackluster 12-yard performance against a very burnable Eagles secondary on Sunday. It's very bizarre to see the Texans not try and get Johnson more involved with the offense. He may not be the full-blown stud he once was, but he's a sure-handed, dependable wideout who can get the job done when called upon. Johnson is nothing more than a mid-level WR3 given his current usage in this offense.
Dishonorable Mentions: Kelvin Benjamin (Panthers), Dez Bryant (Cowboys), Andrew Hawkins (Browns)
Tight End
MVP: Rob Gronkowski (Patriots)
In a seemingly recurring theme for Week 9, Rob Gronkowski followed up his dominant Week 8 performance with yet another one this week. Gronkowski picked up 105 yards and a TD on 9 receptions in the Patriots shockingly lopsided victory over the Broncos on Sunday. As long as Gronkowski doesn't get injured after the Patriots bye week in Week 10, he's going to dominate for the remainder of the 2014 season.
Honorable Mentions: Jimmy Graham (Saints), Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Charles Clay (Dolphins)
LVP: Zach Ertz (Eagles)
Zach Ertz continues to be the most frustrating tight end in fantasy football. Ertz got just 4 yards on his lone reception against the Texans on Sunday. Ertz is a touchdown-dependent TE1 who will put up just as many stinkers as he does solid performances.
Dishonorable Mentions: Vernon Davis (49ers), Antonio Gates (Chargers), Greg Olsen (Panthers)
Defense
MVP: Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins defense is suddenly becoming quite a formidable defense. The Dolphins picked up 4 sacks, 3 interceptions, a fumble recovery and allowed 0 points to the Chargers. The Dolphins don't exactly have the easiest matchups for the last 2 months of the season, but they'll remain a solid fantasy option in most weeks.
Dishonorable Mentions: Houston Texans, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
LVP: San Diego Chargers
How the mighty have fallen.... The Chargers defense has gone from one of the best to one of the weakest fantasy defenses in a matter of a month. The Chargers got lit up once again by the Dolphins for 37 points and failed to register a sack or takeaway. The Chargers are now droppable in just about any 10-12 team league.
Dishonorable Mentions: Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs
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